Presenting The Personalities: Johnny Downing with Dawn Close

with DAWN CLOSE

I first met Johnny Downing in the early 70s. I was an apprentice at Varian Arabians in Arroyo Grande, CA. He invited me to go to Lasma Arabians in Scottsdale for a weekend visit. I was in awe of his knowledge of pedigrees and inspired by his passion for the Polish horses and the stallion *Bask. We hit it off immediately and remain close friends. Today we breed American Cocker Spaniels under the kennel name of Riverwood. We’re usually discussing dog shows and future litters, but his history in the Arabian horse business has been amazing, and just recently, I sat down with him to reminisce about old times.

Tell us a little about your early involvement with horses, and specifically Arabians.

I’m one of those kids who was born loving horses. My uncle lived in Piedmont, Oklahoma and his farm was near his friend Ivan Rowe’s ranch. Ivan was President of IAHA at that time. I got my first horse from the Rowe’s Rocking R Ranch and that’s what got me going. That was in 1962. I showed at my first U.S. Nationals in 1964 and got second in the Stock Seat Equitation class. Kathy LaCroix won the class, and I believe Mike Villasenor was third. Most importantly, that’s where I saw *Bask win his national championship.

Anyone who know you is aware of your love of *Bask and the Lasma breeding and training program. Could you tell us a little more about this?

When I saw *Bask and the Lasma horses at the 1964 U.S. Nationals, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me. I can still remember watching Gene LaCroix show him, and in a bridoon. *Bask was electric! All the wellknown horses of the day were there like Fadjur and Ibn Fadjur, but in my opinion, nothing came close to *Bask. His movement was amazing. The horses of that time were generally pretty but often heavy boned and chunky. Bask was necky, refined, and a picture of elegance. I had never seen an Arabian that looked like that. A few years later Lasma brought the *Bask daughter, Fame, to the Texas State Fair in Dallas. She was superior to anything I had ever seen. *Bask changed the face of Arabian horses worldwide. No other sire line has ever made such a significant contribution, and the LaCroix family introduced concepts that are still used and applauded today.

After I graduated from college and finished my Naval Air military service, I moved to Scottsdale to become, along with Leah Lucas from Canada, Gene’s very first apprentice. Dr. LaCroix taught me about breeding practices, conformation flaws and Polish pedigrees. My entire training background came from time working with Gene. Without the LaCroix family and my time at Lasma, I wouldn’t have had the extraordinary opportunities that I’ve had over the years. I’m so fortunate to have grown up in the Arabian horse business at that time.

From top: Johnny with David Boggs, Gil Valdez and Europa El Jamaal, 1997 Canadian National Champion Mare; Johnny, Fernando De Santibanes, and Paulo Levy; hanging with Felix and Ceci Cantu at the 2022 Arabian Breeders World Cup; and just another day in Buenos Aires for Argentina Nationals with Sandro Pinha and David Boggs.

You trained and showed for many years and managed two high profile farms, but you came to be viewed as more of a bloodstock agent. How did that progression unfold?

Yes, I trained for many years until I was in my mid 30s. I was manager trainer at Colonial Wood Arabians in Arlington, Texas, for seven years and after that I managed Ventura Farms in Thousand Oaks, California, for a little over two years. Both farms were at the top of their games in the 80s. Colonial Wood was known for their collection of *Bask daughters, including National Champion Park Horse, Ambra and National Champion Mare, Bask Melody. And Ventura Farms had acquired some of the best Polish-bred mares in the world, which included a collection of both Negatiw and Comet daughters. Ventura Farms had also purchased the entire Lasma herd from the LaCroix family. There were some amazing *Bask daughters in that group.

In about 1984, I was the agent on the sale of AAF Kaset (Aladdinn x Kaseta, by Negatiw) who went on to become a Triple Crown winner. He was national champion in the U.S. and Canada, as well as Scottsdale Champion Stallion. He sold for $1,000,000. I pretty much devoted most of my time to marketing and sales after that. It’s been amazing since then. I’ve been involved in the sale of some of the most famous Arabians of all time including: Padrons Psyche, Magnum Psyche, LD Pistal, and national champion mares, Europa El Jamaal, JBK Mystic Fawn, RD Shahara Bey, and S Justadream, to name a few.

A little-known fact about you is that you came up with the idea for the very first APAHA awards. Please tell us a little about that.

I was managing Ventura Farms in the early 90s. I approached David Murdock with the idea of an industry awards event. He liked the idea, so with the help of my coworkers at Ventura, Laurelle Anderson and Patti Distad, we developed the entire concept. We came up with the criteria of “Talent, Integrity and Success.” With the help of Kate Meyer, we held the first awards ceremony in Scottsdale in 1991, I believe. Much has changed with the original banquet, but that’s what got the ball rolling on all the events that are so highly regarded today.

You have a long history of doing business in Brazil. How and when did that begin?

My first trip to Brazil was in 1979. Dr. Aloysio Faria invited me to come help his staff with an auction he was planning for April of that year. I had met Dr. Aloysio in Scottsdale in February. He was a real pioneer in the breeding of Arabians in Brazil, having established the Brazilian Registry. He had purchased five *Bask granddaughters at the Bask Classic Sale. One of those was Wind Charm (Fire Wind x Chyleah, by Nadjur) who went on to create her own dynasty in Brazil, especially through her *El Paso son, Sahibi. I spent an amazing couple of months at Dr. Aloysio’s farm. I helped teach the staff American grooming and clipping procedures and basic halter training techniques. Dr. Aloysio borrowed some innovative auction techniques that we’d seen at the Lasma sales. It was quite a production. The auction averaged close to $15,000 U.S. which was unheard of at that time. Every other year after that, he held auctions at his Fazenda Fortaleza in Nova Odessa, Sao Paulo, and I attended most of those for many years. I became very good friends with Dr. Aloysio, and through his contacts I began to travel to Brazil frequently. Things really took hold when I was managing Ventura Farms. I helped place so many wonderful horses in Brazil. During that time, I met the Saliba family of Rach Stud, the late Orestes Tibery, and Dr. Jairo Jorge, all breeders of merit in Brazil. I negotiated the sale of World Series (Strike x Lovesong By Bask, by *Bask) to Orestes who later sold him to Dr. Jairo. World Series went on to be a major sire of significance in South American breeding. Then David Boggs and I began doing a lot of business together and I can’t tell you how many times we travelled to Brazil, Argentina and elsewhere.

I’ve continued my Brazilian connection having judged many shows there over the years, including two of their Nationals. And one year I taught the judges school to about 20 judging applicants. I reminded me of a United Nations meeting. The Brazilians who didn’t understand English had their earphones on and received translation from an interpreter who was in a recording booth.

You just mentioned judging. Are there any memories you care to share? I know you’ve judged all over the world.

I got my judges card in the late 70s. I continue to judge internationally but not in the U.S. One of my fondest memories was judging U.S. Nationals in about 1992. I was the call judge for Half-Arabian Park. I was standing in center ring in Freedom Hall, Louisville … on the green “carpet”. Countess Vanessa and Jimmy Stachowski were the frontrunners in the class. You could hear her thundering down the rail, and she literally gave you chills! The packed house began doing the “wave”. Being in center ring, watching the wave and hearing the roar from the crowd, was fantastic! Another wonderful judging memory was in Poland in 1984. Visiting the Polish breeding farms was at the top of everyone’s bucket list. It was such an honor to be invited to judge.

Another memory that stands out for me, but as a spectator, was watching Magnum Psyche win his national championship in Argentina. He was on fire! I’ll never forger the look on judge Joel Gangi’s face during the entire time he judged the class. Magnum put on a show of a lifetime … one that will never be forgotten! He and David Boggs were always a force to be reckoned with! Several years later in Brazil, the Magnum daughter JJ Apharina was shown to her Brazilian title by Manuel Balarini. The show was held indoor under the lights at the Sao Paulo equestrian club. That mare literally “glowed” in center ring. I don’t think she flicked an ear the entire class! She was superb!

Over the years you have become synonymous with the success of the horses owned by Felix Cantu and his Rancho Las Potrancas in Mexico. How did this evolve?

I was judging a show in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1989 when I first met Felix. After the show, some of the exhibitors took me to dinner. It was my birthday. From that time on we’ve stayed connected because of the horses. Felix has been an incredible friend and business connection. His loyalty to me on both a personal and professional level has been amazing—I’m grateful. And he’s the most fun person I’ve ever worked with! The number of national champion horses that he’s owned is astonishing. From his first U.S. National Reserve Champion colt Mikhail One, to his most recent U.S. National Championship in 2021 with Aria Valiant, there are too many to name. Felix loves the sport of conformation showing. First and foremost, he’s a competitor. He loves the pursuit of the win! And on my many trips to Mexico City, Tepeji Del Rio, and Tampico where his farms are located, I can never get enough of watching him ride his Lusitano horses in the bull fighting corrida. He’s a talented and experienced equestrian. He breeds some of the best Lusitano horses in the world.

One last question. You’ve been in this business all your life. Let’s close with a few of your thoughts on the evolution of the Arabian horse, and your thoughts as you reflect on a lifetime with horses.

Well, the horses being bred today are certainly more beautiful and talented than say 40 years ago … no doubt. The dramatic “type” we see today is quite a change from years past. But I’m sorry that we don’t see a crossover from halter to performance anymore. It’s been amazing to watch the development of so many sophisticated training skills over the years. But I have to say, many western horses today seem too mechanical and hobby horse to me. I’m glad to see the addition of the ranch riding division. Most importantly, I love the friendships I’ve made along the way. Nearly all my closest friends are because of Arabian horses. And it’s such an exciting business. Way back in 1976, I attended Mike Nichols’ auction in Connecticut. I was in my 20s. I flew to NYC then drove to Bridgewater. I was so intimidated by NYC and life in general. After the auction, Mike invited me to his home for a private party. It was there that I met and talked to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. After the party I wondered if this was a unique, once-in-alifetime situation—to have met someone so famous—or if this was a precursor to what my life would be. Turns out, it was the latter. Arabian horses will take you places that you could never have imagined!

Pictured above: Johnny aboard Asil Rafziza (Rafferty x Bint Aziza, by Raffles).